Woman is Helper - Three Facets of the Woman's Role as Helper

Part 1 - Aiding by Completing Godly Male Leadership

The following is a series on Biblical womanhood that I have taught both here in the states and abroad. It is universal because it is the Biblical model of the helper role and therefore applies to Christian women the world over. It will be delivered in bite-sized pieces in the following weeks. I pray that you will be encouraged as you read.

Whether you are married or unmarried, as a woman you are "helper" to godly male leadership. That might translate into being a helper to your husband or, if you are not married, to church leadership.

God has designed us, as women with distinct inclinations. Women are endowed by the Creator with specific characteristics that enable them to function as God intended when He first created woman. As a helper, you will basically fulfill your role in three specific ways. 

First of all I want to state what those three characteristics or aspects are and then I will define and elaborate on each one throughout the coming weeks:

Aspect 1. As helper to godly male leadership, woman is an aid or supporter

A.) As an aid woman completes godly male leadership (this is the topic for this post)

B.) As an aid woman complements godly male leadership

C.) As an aid woman complys with (or submits to) godly male leadership

Aspect 2. As helper to male leadership, woman is a keeper in the home.

Aspect 3. As helper to male leadership, woman is a nurturer of life.

Another way to express these three aspects is: 

1) In her aid to her husband and/or to the church, woman helps and supports man; 

2) In her cultivation of the home woman is helper to man; and 

3) In her nurturing of others, woman is helper to man. 

(Each one of these three aspects operates in several ways, as you will see further along in this post.)

These are the three main aspects of woman as helper, whether she is married or single. The man’s God-given purpose is different and he does not concentrate on these facets of life, though he participates in cultivating the home and in nurturing life also. But he is not driven to do these things as his calling. His calling from God is to lead by protecting, providing and sacrificially loving. These are the areas that he he specializes in and strives for. Woman generally is directed toward helping man by specializing in aiding him, keeping the home and nurturing life.

The first way a woman carries out her role as helper is to serve as an aid or supporter to her husband if she is married, and as an aid or supporter to the church regardless of her marital status. We see this because the same order that God created in marriage, He also created for the church – men lead and women help, including single women. However, single women are undivided (not involved in supporting a husband and/or children) in their service to the church (1 Corinthians 7).

Now it may sound redundant for me to say that women carry out their helper role by being an aid or supporter. That may sound like the same thing to you, but as this is clarified, hopefully, you will see how it is accurate to classify this aspect of the helper role that way.

In this post, we will begin with the helper as an aid and support to her husband and/or to the church.

As an aid, woman supports godly male leadership in three ways. (Remember, there are the three aspects already mentioned - aiding, keeping the home and nurturing life - and each aspect operates in several ways.) The three ways a woman supports godly male leadership as an aid are: 1) she completes male leadership, 2) she complements male leadership, and 3) she submits to male leadership. This is how she aids male leadership. It is true in the home with her husband, if she is married, and in the church also. A woman, whether married or single, carries out this role in the church as she submits to the elders, compliments their leadership and helps to complete the work there.

Reiterating, in this post we will look at the helper as an aid to male leadership in completing godly male leadership; in the next two posts we will look at the helper's aid to male leadership through complementing (second post) and submitting (third post).

But first, let's understand what it means to be an aid. Here is an analogy:

An Analogy of an Aid – You are a Helping Hand

It always helps me to use an analogy when trying to grasp the meaning of a spiritual truth. To better understand the definition and function of an aid or supporter, the analogy of a “helping hand” came to my mind. As an aid we could say that woman is man’s “helping hand”. Please remember this analogy. It could transform the way you relate to male leadership. When I compare woman as aid to a helping hand, I think of how the left hand aid the right hand and how it completes, compliments and submits to it.

Aiding by Completing Male Leadership

My right hand by itself is not complete. It is never as efficient and useful alone as when my left helping hand is assisting. Together, the two hands are one in function and purpose. They are a complete set. Each is the counterpart of the other.

Woman completes man spiritually, physically, emotionally and intellectually: 

Spiritually, she completes him by filling up what is lacking in his ability to image God alone. I will get back to this. 

Physically, she completes him by helping him bear children for God’s glory, by meeting his physical need for intimacy, and by caring for his need for physical nourishment. 

Emotionally, she completes him by offering a softer side to humanity, a tenderness and sensitivity that he does not characteristically possess. This comes out in her passion to nurture people. 

Intellectually, she completes him by her focus to detail, which balances his bottom-line orientation. One way this is manifested is through her attention to the home, intelligently cultivating the place where he lives, looking well to her household and all the details of it.

Adam Recognizes His Incompleteness

Concerning woman completing man, God said during the creation week, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Once Adam had named the animals and observed that each one had its own particular counterpart - something Adam himself did not have - he came to know personally that he was incomplete. He was alone and he felt it for the first time.

As Adam named the animals, he recognized that each kind had an appropriate counterpart. They looked very similar, yet each species' counterpart was also different in some ways. There was a male and there was a female of every species that Adam named. I believe since the Lord commanded the animals to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:22), that they were already carrying out that mandate quite naturally by the time Adam got around to naming them. And he couldn't help but notice his aloneness as he named each species. 

Adam realized that out of all that God had created, he was an exception because he was the only one of his kind. He was the only created being that there was not two of. He felt this deeply. So, the Lord caused him to sleep while He went about fashioning Adam's counterpart, one that would be like him, yet be different, and essentially one that completed him. 

No Longer Incomplete When God Provided a Wonderful Counterpart

When Eve was brought to Adam, he knew that he now had one that was just like him - she too was mankind. And she was his specific match. She was not created with fangs, feathers, fins or fur. She was made of flesh and bone just like Adam. He exclaimed with great delight, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh..." He was now complete. 

And so it has been ever since creation that woman has continued to complete man in specific ways: 

Getting back to the spiritual aspect, Adam was only half of the expression of God and half of God's intended function for mankind on the earth, like a right hand represents only half of the body’s ability to function with the upper appendages. Adam bore God’s image, but only part of it. There was another side of God that would be expressed through Eve’s personhood and function. Together they would bear His image completely. Together they would carry out God’s mandate to rule the earth.

Now what I am not saying here is that every man or woman must be married to be complete. Obviously, the apostle Paul did not believe that for he made it clear that it was his preference to remain single. Even though Paul preferred singleness for himself, God still used women, like Phoebe and Prisca, to help Paul (Romans 16:1-4). He was not himself independent of women aiding him with his work in the early church.

What I am saying is that in the larger scope of mankind bearing God’s image and functioning in creation, both male and female are necessary. The human race cannot even perpetuate without both. And without the softer side of femininity and woman's diverse function, the world cannot accurately image God or carry out His mandate.

Woman bears God’s image in many ways, different than man. God created her with unique attributes that are also part of His character – nurturing for example. She represents Him in this way to her children and others that she attends to in loving ways.

God’s nurturing side is seen in Scripture through the care He bestows on His children. Isaiah 49:15 says, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.” And in Isaiah 66:13 we hear the Lord saying to Israel, "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you…” In the New Testament, we are familiar with Paul’s instruction when he tells fathers to bring up their children in the “nurture” and admonition of the Lord.

God fashioned Eve from Adam’s bone and flesh and she completed him. He was thrilled to have what had so obviously been missing from his life. He no longer felt alone and now had new motivation and momentum to be God’s agent on earth. Together they would rule the earth, and together they would bear God’s complete image. Just as my left hand completes my right hand, so woman completes man.

William Shakespeare wrote concerning man and woman completing one another:

      He is half part of a blessed man, left to be finished by such a she; and        she a fair divided excellence, whose fullness of perfection lies in         him. 

In the next Woman is Helper post, we will explore how woman aids man by complimenting him in his leadership role.

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Woman is Helper - Three Facets of the Woman's Role as Helper

on September 18, 2008 0 comments

The Imprint of God in Creation

The following videos are worth the time. You will worship your Creator-Redeemer as a result. Louie Giglio, in these two clips takes, us on a tour of the intricacies of creation. You will see that God has left His imprint everywhere. Not only do we see this openly and obviously in the creation, but His signature is also viewed in what, until recently, has been hidden from the human eye. Now, because God has gifted man with not only the intelligence to develop amazing technologies and tools, but also with the unquenchable desire to explore what the naked eye cannot see, many previously hidden aspects of creation are being revealed. These aspects, whether viewed from the lens of the microscope or that of the telescope reveal God's glorious imprint in creation. And His imprint is very specific.

Here is a microscopic peek:
Note: Before watching the video, turn off the music (player is at the bottom of the blog).



Even the way laminin is spelled fascinates me. Wikipedia describes its makeup: "There are four of beta-chains: LAMB1, LAMB2, LAMB3, LAMB4" Is this not amazing? In His Sovereignty, God even ordained that the beta-chains would be named "LAMB". I find this staggering to think of!

Now take time to watch the following telescopic view of God's imprint in the Whirlpool Galaxy:



Awesome! Rev 13:8 says, "All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world." God has seen His Son slaughtered from creation and His artistry in the heavens and in the cells of man himself declares it.

From the smallest cell, perceivable only with a microscope, to the vast unreachable galaxies now seen with the Hubble Telescope, God has put forth this testimony and we have discovered it exactly when He ordained it to be so. All men, saved or not, carry the emblem of God's great mercy and grace - the Cross - within themselves. Amazing! Men's mouths may not whisper His name in love, but his very molecular structure shouts that God not only created him but has given His Son to redeem Him. Amazing!

These discoveries point to the reality of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done on the cross. They bear witness to God's great heart of love for man. Laminin and the Whirlpool Galaxy are but God's "artwork" that bear witness of His great "heart-work" on the cross. This is so stunning and staggering to think on.

But there is an even more stupendous (who can come up with adequate words?) imprint to man from God. It is the imprint of the nails in the loving hands that were bound and fastened to the cross by wicked men and women - you and me. This imprint God placed on Himself, on He that is uncreated and this imprint is what all the other created imprints announce. This imprint manifests yet another truth about our powerful, sovereign, majestic and creative God. This is an imprint of His great love for His prodigal creation - man. And this imprint is way beyond description, explanation or comprehension, so this is where I will stop. Indescribable!!!

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

The Imprint of God in Creation

on July 23, 2008 0 comments

Theology Eight - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

This is the last post in the series of theology for women. If you have not read the previous posts of Theology - Necessary Soul Food for the Good Woman, please find them here.

Theology, that is pursuing the all-satisfying knowledge of and relationship with the Triune God, has brought such balance and dignity to my life. As a woman, I find there are many voices in my culture vying for my allegiance, including the feminist who has openly had her say here.

But in many cultures women are suppressed. India has been one such place. A passage in the Puranas, one of the Hindu's sacred books, reads “Let a woman who wishes to perform sacred oblations wash the feet of her lord and drink the water, for her husband is her lord, her priest, her religion. Wherefore abandoning all else she ought chiefly to worship her husband."

Culture in India also practiced “suttee”, an observance whereby a widow was burned alive on the funeral pyre of her dead husband. Many other atrocities abounded in regard to India’s females before the early twentieth century, including infanticide for unwanted daughters and temple prostitution for small girls, some as young as three and four years of age.

Imagine then the wonder with which the women there received the teachings of Christianity. One Hindu woman was noted to say, “Surely your Bible was written by a woman.” When asked “why?” she replied, “Because it says so many kind things for women. Our pundits never refer to us but in reproach.”

Christ restores balance and dignity for women whatever their culture promotes. For the Christian woman in India, dignity is restored in the midst of a culture that dehumanizes her.

But looking at another imbalance, in America, feminists seek to glorify women beyond their God-given place. The goal is supremacy, not equality, and herein we see the opposite extreme. This woman, out of a motive of retaliation, would like to rule over man the way he has ruled over her since and as a result of the fall.

But reiterating, in Christ we find a true balance where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

It is a paradox that in Christ, woman finds her dignity, yet there is no distinction between male and female. In the pages of Scripture she discovers an ally who so understands her that she could easily mistake Him for a woman.

But this is the One who “…being found in appearance as a man…” personified the goodness of God (Philippinas. 2:8a).

This is the One who spoke to an immoral woman, considered a mongrel by the Jews (Samaritan), the epitome of human outcasts and gifted her a royal position when He made her a child of the King. When the rest of society shunned her, Jesus revealed God to her, in all His goodness, and she was changed forever in an instance. (John. 4:4-45)

Spurgeon said, “My beloved sisters, you owe much to the Gospel, for it is only by its agency that you are raised to your proper place. Jesus has lifted you up to your true place, side by side with man.” But really He has lifted us much higher than that -all the way to the third heaven where He reigns. We dwell with Him there even in the midst of the storm or in the mire of a fallen culture when we truly know Him.

Do women need theology? Can we rise above our circumstances to find peace in the midst of a storm-tossed life? Where is the balance in a culture which seeks to either denigrate or deify us? Perhaps Jesus can best answer these questions. To every nation and tribe, to every people of every tongue, to men and women the mandate is still set forth. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Theology is not only essential for the woman of God, it is a command from its Author that we must embrace.

May we, as women of God, look to the apostle Paul as an example of what theology is all about. May we take to heart his passion for knowing Jesus:

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death... (Phil. 3:8-11) 

Oh, may we know Him! That is what theology is all about!

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Eight - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on July 13, 2008 0 comments

Franziska - Chapter Seven

Note: If you have not read Franciska's amazing story up to this point, you should do so now. Find chapters one through six here. Start at the bottom of the page with chapter one.

This long-time-in-coming seventh chapter of Franciska's story is devoted to Hermann's home going. I was delayed in writing this chapter because Hermann's obituary and a poem that he had written shortly before he died had to be translated from German to English. That is done now thanks to a friend from church. Thank you, Monica, for your kindness in translating the two pieces. So let us continue...

In 1932, on May 29th, Hermann and Franciska celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. An account of the celebration appeared in the local German paper. An excerpt reads:

"The evening of that day we reminisced...about the church and friends and relatives who had been there previously. At this testimonial, the representatives of the Meyer family, other relatives, and the congregation delivered their wishes for happiness and blessings to the celebrating pair. May the Lord we serve give us more such festivities."

Looking back to when Hermann and Franciska met, an item of interest to me is the last entry in Franciska's "Poesie" book, that little autograph book that she kept from the age of 12 through the age of nineteen (mentioned in chapter one). The last entry was made in December 1881 in Bromberg, Germany by Hermann. My Aunt Francis still has this little book in her possession. She writes of it:

One of the treasured mementos of Franciska still in existence is a small autograph book called 'Poesie' (poetry). It made the journey to America, survived the homestead, traveled to South Dakota by wagon and ferry, and onto Colorado and Oklahoma. 

The pages are brown with age and the once bright gilt edges are spattered with fly specks, but within are pages filled with exquisite handwriting... The first three entries are written in Thorn, a town near Bromberg, the latest being in December of 1881...The last entry is undated and signed, 'Hermann Meyer'! They were married in May of 1882.

Though Hermann's entry is written in German and I do not know what it says, it is more of a curiosity to me, as to why after 6 years of entries, Hermann's was the last. Franciska pursued no more autographs after his. Was she was satisfied to leave it with her future husband's as the best and therefore the last? Did she regard his entry as the culmination of all that had been written there in Poesie? Perhaps the answer lies in what he wrote and if I were to get it translated, the secret would be had.

But for now, we must return to what is known. In late 1930 or early 1931, Hermann was diagnosed with cancer. He suffered for two years and then on January 4th, 1933, he went home to be with the Lord. His obituary reads:

Brother Hermann Gustave Meyer, born December 12, 1857, near Bromberg, in the province of Posen, Germany, died after a lengthy battle with cancer on January 4, 1933, at La Salle, Colorado at the age of 75 and 22 days. He was married with his now grieving widow on May 29th, 1882 and the Lord blessed him with 13 children, of which 6 died before him.

Last May Brother Meyer and his wife celebrated their Golden Anniversary with all their children by their side. 1886 was the year Brother Meyer and his family came to this country, where they settled in Nebraska, South Dakota and since 1903 near La Salle, Colorado.

Brother Meyer accepted the Lord as his Savior. He was baptized by Brother Currant in 1877...Just as in the old country, so in this country, Brother Meyer showed a deep commitment to the work of our Lord by holding Sunday School and Worship Services in his own home, and many have come to Christ through his initialed contacts. He was a devoted Christian and kept faithfully to those teachings of the Word of God.

Brother Meyer held many offices in his church, such as superintendent of Sunday School, secretary, treasurer and the last 20 years as a deacon. He consistently fulfilled his Christian duties, as he always wanted what was best for the Lord and His congregation.

He was especially pleased, that all his children came to the Lord Jesus Christ. One of his sons, Herbert Meyer, from Alva, Oklahoma followed the call and became a pastor himself. A few weeks before his death, Brother Meyer composed the following poem which was read at his funeral:

At the Edge of Eternity

by Hermann Gustave Meyer

Written in December 1932, a few weeks before his death.

I stand at the edge of eternity

And look back one more time

I see the God of Majesty

And am lifted to joy sublime.

I am so very happy

My Savior died for me.

He took my guilt

He took it all and now, by grace, I’m free.

Christ freed me from God's judgment,

“There’s no more fear” I cry.

He conquered death and gave me life

My soul shall never die.

Now Christ is my Protector.

He owns my life, my soul.

I’m clean by the blood of Jesus;

I’m free, I’m His, I’m whole!

Grieving is his wife, 5 sons, 2 daughters, 35 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 2 sisters and many other relatives and friends. May the Lord bless all that are left behind and give them the assurance of seeing their departed loved ones at the Throne of God in good time. La Salle, Colorado.

As I read and reread my Great Grandfather's poem, I am struck with the peace, joy and anticipation he exhibited as he looked forward to his own death. For the Christan, this is the mindset concerning leaving this earthly realm. There is no fear because we know there is no judgment. Jesus Christ has experienced my judgment, my penalty and my punishment for sin. Now for me, there is only great anticipation as I move toward eternity. I will be with Jesus - face to face. No longer chained by sin, I will be able to worship Him just as Grandfather Hermann now worships, without a single hindrance, alongside my loved ones who have gone before me. Oh, what satisfaction and joy! Praise God who has so generously given us His Son!

Franciska's story is nearly complete. The final chapter will follow detailing her latter years after Hermann's death.

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Franziska - Chapter Seven

on July 03, 2008 0 comments

The Iron Men

Today I received the following story and video in an email from my daughter's fiance. After watching it I knew I had to put it on the blog. Please do not skip over this post. It is an amazing picture of God's grace, goodness and strength for our lives. He has done all the work and now carries us in our daily lives. The video makes it all clear, but read the following first:

A son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father, despite having a heart condition, said "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. This father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying ''Yes" to his son's request to go through the race together. One day, the son said to his father, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together." To this, his father said "Yes" .

For those who don't know, the Ironman is the toughest of all triathlons. The race, which takes place in Hawaii, encompasses three endurance events. These include a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometers) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometers) bike ride, and ends with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometers) marathon along the coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race together.

Click here to view the video of the duo.

After you see that video you will want to watch this one which tells the story of the father and son.

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

The Iron Men

on June 30, 2008 3 comments

Theology Seven - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

This is a continuing series about why and how real theology is necessary for the woman of God. For previous articles please click here.

When Jesus visited Martha’s home in Bethany, both she and her sister, Mary, learned a penetrating and enduring lesson from Jesus about the importance of theology for women (Luke 10:38-42). At that time Rabbis considered it unthinkable to allow women to learn the Scriptures. “Rather burn the sayings of the law than teach them to a woman” was a common adage. But in their home in Bethany, Jesus interrupts time, busyness and decorum, and in His infinite essence heralds a message to Mary and Martha (and the men) that only one thing is of eternal importance – knowing Him. “Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (vs. 42).

Paul tells Timothy to, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission” (I Tim. 2:11). So we have it from Christ and the apostle Paul that women should be students of Christ who come to Him to learn. Martha could not handle a simple situation because she had not been at Jesus’ feet. How then can women have peace in difficult circumstances without the anchor of a full knowledge of their God? And knowing Him only casually is really not knowing Him at all.

The woman determined to know God intimately strives to sit at His feet when everything else shouts “Get up, get busy!” When God’s goodness is obscured from our sight in the storms of life, a casual knowledge of Him will only hasten a faltering faith into the depths of doubt and despair. In order to weather the deluge, a real working knowledge of God is imperative if we would have a compass to guide us in the chaos.

We will be assured, like Job, that no matter what life’s challenges, God is good – He is perfectly and eternally good. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled” (Psalm 46:1-3).

Recently I heard a story about some Christian women from Bangladesh, a culture in which women are considered chattel. In Bangladesh, women's lives are agonizingly hard. Most have no love demonstrated toward them, whether they are young or old. Husbands in this culture have many women (just as you and I have as many pairs of shoes as we please) and they treat their women like property.

A group of these women heard the gospel and some came to know Christ, but since they did not fully grasp how much God loved them, they continued to live dejected, heartless lives. There seemed to be no change until a missionary began to teach them about the attributes of God – theology proper. When they understood the magnanimity of His love for them and His goodness toward them, they asked, “Are you saying that God loves us in this way? He wants only our good? Why didn't someone tell us of this sooner?”

From that day on they were able to smile, though their circumstances were not changed. They had the peace of God and knew that He truly cared for them. A new personal dignity sustained them. Not even the harshest, most brutal treatment could shake their confidence in God’s love for them. They were changed because they dug deep into God’s glorious character and discovered strength there for themselves.

While in Uganda recently, I taught a group of Christian women from Entebbe. These women were mostly illiterate and therefore unlearned in the Scriptures. I observed that a course of child-rearing “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” was badly needed. When raising children in this harsh environment, parents tend to be severe and unloving, with the idea that this will help their kids cope with the difficulties they will face as adults. I saw children with real needs left to cry and “get over it”. Obviously, the women needed light from the Scriptures.

As they learned about their relationship to God, how He sees them in His Son, their adoption by the Spirit, their Heavenly Father's parental love for them, how He disciplines the ones He loves, about His goodness toward His children, and more, the women were overwhelmed with gratitude to God. They repented of their harsh practices and simply wanted to love their children, to be kindly disposed to them as God was toward them. I saw before me a “new creation” in Christ. The old cultural standards passed away in the warmth of this fresh knowledge of God, and all relationships became new. Their difficult lives and their children’s also became sweet that day because of what they knew, because theology became a part of their being.

While we were there in Uganda, I became acquainted with Eddie, the wife of Venencio, the college chaplain in Zana, Uganda (currently, Venencio is pastoring a church in Bundibudgeo, which is on the border of the Congo in northern Uganda). I was overjoyed when she responded to the theology that she learned when we visited there. The mother of toddler twins who suffer terribly from sickle cell anemia, she was despondent and had even emotionally detached herself from her babies since there was so little she could do to help them in their pain. She distanced herself, realizing she might not always have them. She was truly caught in the storm’s tempest. But when she heard that God was “the Lord above the storm”, about His sovereignty over the storm, she began to look up to Him and found great strength and comfort. Her countenance revealed the peace she had as a result of her knowing God better.

Personally, I can affirm that theology – knowing God – has been an anchor for me in the trials I have faced. When one of our daughters ran away from home at the age of sixteen, one day before her birthday, my world came crashing down. I turned to God, although I could not understand why He would allow such anguish. He strengthened me and even gave me joy in spite of the heartache.

But I knew that my knowledge of God was shaky at best. He was using the trial to deliver me from the false teaching I had succumbed to over the previous five years. Living legalistically, I had expected that because I was doing my part in raising our children, God was obligated to save them. Now I told myself, “Either God is a liar or my beliefs are completely false.” I knew God well enough to recognize that the problem was not with Him; He can not lie for He is not only the source of all truth, He is truth. I thank Him for those early lessons of theology proper that taught me that fact clearly.

God then put a desire within me to discover more truth concerning Him so that I could battle the lies I had believed and the bitterness that would follow if I became complacent about pursuing Him. Along with the Psalmist I confessed, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:71) So with abundant resources before me (shelves filled with my husband's theological books and every English Bible translation known to man), I began a quest for God that resolved all my issues. That initial seeking has become an unending pursuit for me. Even today, seeking God in this way creates in me more of a hunger for God. The more I know about Him, the more I realize there is so much more to know about Him, for He is inscrutable.

Now I know the truth of Psalm 119:67-68, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes." Notice that the Psalmist does not rest on his laurels, the fact that he keeps God's word (..."but now I keep Your word..." in verse 67). No, he knows his heart all too well. He knows that he must continue to pursue knowing God in His word. He prays "...teach me Your word." (68).

This is exactly what I need. If I ease off of this pursuit, I know where my heart will take me and I do not want to go there. The practicality of daily theology, consistently getting to know God more intimately, is the "one thing " I need. And it is the only pursuit that yields eternal, lasting returns.

Oh, may we, like Mary, strive to sit and learn at Christ's feet. When the world pulls and demands our attention, may we hear His admonishment as did Martha, "Sharon, Sharon, you are worried and bothered about so many things but only one thing is needed. Choose that which will not be taken away from you. Choose to know Me."

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Seven - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on June 10, 2008 0 comments